Louis Gossett Jr.

About

American actor best known for his Academy Award-winning role in An Officer and a Gentleman. He gained further fame for his Emmy Award-winning role as Fiddler in the miniseries Roots. He has also had prominent roles in A Raisin in the Sun, Iron Eagle, and The Punisher. 

Before Fame

He turned down the chance to play basketball for New York University to concentrate on theater.

Trivia

He wrote the famous Richie Havens song, "Handsome Johnny."

Family Life

He is the cousin of The Closer actor Robert Gossett. He married three times and had two sons named Satie and Sharron Gossett.

Associated With

Peter Benchley wrote the screenplay for the film The Deep, in which he starred as a druglord.

Video

Louis Gossett Jr. Highlights